A CAT has lost its leg after being shot six times.

The RSPCA said Jasper, two, was shot by an air gun in Oswaldtwistle and had to have his left hind leg amputated by vets after the lower bones were shattered.

Pellets entered his left eye, the roof of his mouth, abdomen, neck and two hit behind his left knee.

The animal charity said the cat managed to walk home and his owners discovered the damage.

An appeal has been launched for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

RSPCA inspector Nina Small said: “Poor Jasper, he could only make it through the first cat flap and when the owners opened the door the cat walked in and fell in his cat basket.

“He would’ve been in a lot of pain.”

It is thought the pet, who usually doesn’t venture far from home, may have been at nearby allotments or school playing fields when he was attacked.

The pellet behind his eye could not be removed by vets, who will now monitor the cats injuries closely.

On average the RSPCA receive almost 1,000 calls to investigate air gun attacks on animals each year.

Inspector Small said: “It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals.

“These are deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty.

“Cats and wildlife are normally the animals that are more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.

“Unfortunately, air rifle attacks are not as rare as we would like.

“The injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal.”

The RSPCA is also calling for tighter controls on air weapons and better education on the laws involving them.

People caught deliberating using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to six months in prison and/or be fined £20,000 if found guilty.